Below are three questions that patients and others have recently asked. I felt that you may benefit from this information. Enjoy!
Question: Are probiotics different than digestive enzymes? – submitted by Jane Carlson.
Answer: Yes, probiotics and digestive enzymes are different, but they both aid and support healthy digestion. Probiotics are ‘live’ supplemental microorganisms (healthy bacteria) that support the native ‘flora’ in the digestive tract. Digestive enzymes, on the other hand, help to catalyze and breakdown sugars, fats, and proteins to make them more readily absorbable into the bloodstream. – Dr. Gordon
Question: My husband has been suffering with a herniated disc in his lower back for 3 years since he had a lifting injury at work. After speaking with multiple specialists, they tell him that the only thing that they can do is surgery. Are there any other options for him? – submitted by M. Ferring
Answer: Mrs. Ferring, I’m sorry to hear about the suffering that your husband has endured over the past 3 years due to his back injury. Your question is a very common question that I am asked at least 2-3x per week. Without seeing your husband’s MRI and examining him, I can only speak in generalities regarding herniated discs in the lumbar spine. From my experience, I have found that most treatments for herniated discs are focused on treating the symptoms (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, epidural injections, etc…). Unfortunately, to treat the underlying cause of most disc injuries, the treatment options are rather limited. Spinal surgery is definitely one option, and there are multiple types of surgeries depending on the specific disc injury. In my practice, I incorporate the DRX 9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System to treat disc bulges, protrusions, and herniations. This is a non-surgical alternative treatment for disc injuries which helps to reduce the size and severity of disc herniations, as well as rehydrating the disc so that it can withstand the daily stresses and strains that it must endure. An MRI or CT scan is required to determine if a patient is a good candidate for the DRX 9000, and to rule out contraindications to treatment. – Dr. Gordon
Question: I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis after having a bone density scan performed on my lower back and hip. My doctor has prescribed Fosamax to improve my bone density. Do I need to keep taking calcium, and if so what kind is best? – submitted by Ruth Parsons
Answer: To answer your question succinctly, yes you need to continue taking calcium. Studies have shown that bone density is optimized in those patients taking Fosamax when they also take adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. As far as which form of calcium is best, I personally recommend that my patients use calcium citrate, calcium lactate/malate, or calcium MCHC. I also highly recommend taking calcium in a ‘capsule’ rather than a tablet. Many patients not only have difficulty swallowing the large tablets, but also digesting and assimilating the nutrients from the tablets. Remember, calcium requires sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach to be absorbed and assimilated. Those people who take Tums® with calcium are neutralizing their HCl and thus inhibiting proper absorption. Recommended calcium dosage is 1,000mg – 1,500mg per day depending on the individual needs of the patient. Vitamin D is also important for calcium absorption and metabolism, helping to regulate bone mineralization and blood calcium concentration. There is currently a debate as to the proper supplementation dosage for Vitamin D, as prior recommended dosages have now been found to inadequate. I personally recommend 2,500 – 5,000 I.U. per day to my patients depending on their needs and their blood levels. I recommend testing both calcium and Vitamin D blood levels prior to beginning any supplementation, and I recheck blood levels of these nutrients 6-8 weeks later. – Dr. Gordon
